Boating, diving and snorkelling
Use our vessels and equipment for day-trip access to Moreton Bay’s shorelines and islands, and the open ocean.
Researchers and teachers from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» and other institutions in Australia and abroad are eligible.
You’ll need to meet Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» safety standards and minimum competency requirements.
See hire options, below, and our hire price list.
Our vessels
There are 5 Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» vessels available for hire.
See our price list for information about hire charges for researchers and educational groups.
Our vessels
Pelagia
- centre-console semi-rigid inflatable
- 5.37m
- 100hp (75kW) 4-stroke outboard engine
- surveyed to carry 8 to 12, depending on area and type of activities
Glaucus
- centre-console rigid inflatable
- 5.8m
- 2 x 60hp (45kW) 4-stroke outboard engines
- surveyed to carry 6 to 12, depending on area and type of activities
Xiphias
- centre-console plate aluminium
- 5.95m
- 2 x 60hp (45kW) 4-stroke outboard engines
- surveyed to carry 6, depending on area and type of activities
Thetis
- centre-console semi-rigid inflatable
- 6.8m
- 2 x 115hp (86kW) 4-stroke outboard engines
- surveyed to carry 7, depending on area and type of activities
Proteus
- half cabin plate aluminium
- 7.5m
- 2 x 115hp (46kW) 4-stroke outboard engines
- surveyed to carry 6 - 11, depending on area and type of activities
Hire a vessel and/or skipper
Hire a vessel
To hire a vessel:
- register with us by emailing our Station Assistant – Boating & Diving at mbrsboat@uq.edu.au
- ensure you’re familiar with and follow .
Allow 30 minutes before departure for a vessel safety check and induction for all crew.
Required qualifications
Vessels used for research and education are classed as commercial vessels.
Minimum qualifications
You'll need these minimum qualifications to operate Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Science vessels.
All vessel masters must hold:
- valid first aid and CPR certificates
- short range radio operator certificate of proficiency.
Where the vessel master is not Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» personnel, they may only operate a research vessel if they hold:
- AMSA issued certificate of competency (eg. Coxswain)
Where the vessel master is Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» personnel, they may operate a research vessel if they hold:
- coxswain certificate of competency, or
- valid state-issued recreational marine driver's licence AND operate the vessel in accordance with .
All vessel operations must comply with the restrictions of the licence the vessel master holds. For example: a person holding an NC3 Coxswain certificate of competency may only operate a vessel up to 1nm from shore, during daylight hours, and with no more than 6 persons aboard the vessel.
Hire a vessel and skipper
Researchers and educational groups can hire the services of a skipper.
You must book in advance.
For more information, email our Station Assistant – Boating & Diving at mbrsboat@uq.edu.au.
Price list
For information about hire charges for researchers and educational groups, see our price list.
Diving
Requirements
Minimum requirements for diving with Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» as part of your fieldwork:
- relevant dive certification
- copy of logbook entries sufficient to demonstrate current competency
- copy of valid dive medical
- copy of valid first aid and oxygen administration qualifications (if held).
Before you start fieldwork:
- download and fill in a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» diver registration form
- email your form and copies of required paperwork to our Station Assistant – Boating & Diving at mbrsboat@uq.edu.au
- ensure you’re familiar with and follow .
Equipment hire
We don’t hire dive equipment at the station, but can organise tank refills at Manta Lodge Scuba Centre.
For refill charges, see our price list.
We recommend you hire equipment before you arrive on the island.
You can hire a limited range of equipment at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» St Lucia from the .
Snorkelling
Requirements
Minimum requirements for snorkelling with Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» as part of your fieldwork:
- fit and clear mask and snorkel
- breathe with snorkel to avoid carbon dioxide toxicity
- effective fin technique
- swim 200 metres with mask, snorkel and fins
- fitness to snorkel.
Before you start fieldwork:
- download and fill in a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» snorkel registration form
- email your form to our Station Assistant – Boating & Diving at mbrsboat@uq.edu.au
- provide us with medical fitness information
- ensure you’re familiar with and follow .
Equipment hire
You can hire a limited range of snorkelling equipment from us, including:
- mask and snorkel
- half and full fins
- weight belt
- booties
- short wetsuits (supplies are limited).
Contact us in advance if you want to use our snorkelling gear to avoid disappointment.
Alternatively, you can hire a limited range of equipment at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» St Lucia from the .